Expansion in Topeka

The completion of a $5 million construction project has opened new space to Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka, the Diocese of Kansas, and the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, according to The Topeka Capital-Journal.

The Capital-Journal reports:

The massive project means the twin-spired cathedral, 701 S.W. 8th, has a sparkling new parish hall for its various social functions and large-group gatherings.

Meanwhile, the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas has new offices built just east of the Great Hall. The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry — which provides training for lay people to become ordained ministers in the Episcopal Church — has new state-of-the-art classrooms in a renovated area on the lower level of the church’s west side.

Cathedral and diocesan leaders agreed the new project would meet needs at many levels.

The Rev. Torey Lightcap, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, said the new space comes as a welcome addition and was made possible through a collaboration between the diocese and cathedral.

“From a completely practical standpoint, our new offices will allow the diocesan staff to work in spaces that aren’t architectural afterthoughts,” Lightcap said. “For far too long, we have had people spending many hours a week in rooms that weren’t designed to be offices, and this remedies that.

“More broadly, our new offices also demonstrate the power of combining resources to accomplish major projects. What no one entity could have done on its own, we have been able to do through collaborative effort. It shows stronger ties to Grace Cathedral and to the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, which is something we are always seeking to do.”